Does LASIK Treat Presbyopia?

Understanding the Causes of Presbyopia in Older Adults

You might be unfamiliar with the term presbyopia. Presbyopia refers to the gradual loss of flexibility in the eye’s lens. The light focuses behind the retina, which makes it difficult for the eye to focus on objects that are close. This is why many adults in their 40s find that they need to use reading glasses in order to read small print. While it can definitely be irritating, presbyopia is a very natural and common occurrence.

Prospective LASIK patients sometimes ask if their presbyopia will be treated by LASIK, or if they can still get LASIK if they need to wear reading glasses. Let’s unpack those questions.

LASIK is not a treatment for presbyopia—and it cannot prevent it. 

Presbyopia occurs in the lens of the eye, which is behind the cornea. This is not accessible or intended to be treated by the lasers used during LASIK to correct your vision. It is not uncommon for some adults who have had LASIK to use reading glasses later on when presbyopia naturally occurs.

Wearing reading glasses does not disqualify you as a LASIK candidate. 

If you are a prospective patient who is currently using reading glasses to see print up close, you are not immediately disqualified as a candidate. Again, it is important to understand that LASIK is designed to treat conditions like nearsightedness and farsightedness. These conditions are caused by light not being properly refracted through an uneven or bumpy cornea, which is reshaped during LASIK. Presbyopia, on the other hand, has to do with the loss of flexibility in your eye’s lens. The flexibility of your eye’s lens cannot be treated through LASIK.

We understand this can be a difficult topic to understand, and we are happy to answer any questions you may have related to presbyopia, the use of reading glasses, and LASIK. Simply reach out to us today to speak to a member of our team   
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